March 12, 2025
From her first daring zip wire challenge for Revive at 15, to now taking on a 50-mile Manchester to Liverpool Ultramarathon, Miranda has always pushed her limits for causes that mean a lot to her. After seeing the care and support Revive MS Support has given her mum over the years, Miranda is continuing to find new ways to give back.
Running from Manchester to Liverpool is no small feat, but for Miranda, it’s about more than just the miles and is about being grateful for mobility, staying motivated and making sure people living with MS get the vital support they need.
“I think I was around 15 when I became aware of what Revive MS Support was and what it was offering my mum. It was about this time I did my first fundraiser for them which was a zip wire across the Clyde – pretty random but good fun! It’s always been a nice incentive for me to try new challenges. I did my first half-marathon in 2021, ran the Edinburgh marathon in 2022 and then did my first ultramarathon in 2023.”
“She participates in weekly physio/exercise classes which are run by an instructor who tailors the workouts to people’s varying needs, she feels like hers are very well met at this which is great to hear. Since the pandemic she has been able to work from home which has been beneficial for her mobility, but it’s understandable why she would miss the social aspect of going into the office. The weekly classes at Revive help to make up for this as there is a great community there, everyone is really nice and able to relate to each other. She has also had some counselling sessions at Revive in the past.”
“I think because unfortunately it is so common in Scotland and I know quite a few people that have parents or grandparents that have it too. Having any incurable illness is going to be rough but I realise how frustrating it must be not being able to do so many things that you want because of it. It’s really hard to witness it happen to someone you love to be honest. Such a simple thing to most, like going up and down stairs or doing housework, seems like the biggest task in the world so it’s important that people with MS are supported both physically and mentally.”
“Although we do what we can at home, we do things like cooking and cleaning so my mum doesn’t have to. Revive have offered the support that we can’t through things like physio, counselling and a sense of community. I can see how appreciative she is for this. 10 years of fundraising later and I am also still very grateful for Revive for not only providing for my mum but for acting as a motivator for me to better myself and achieve my goals. Thank you so much for all that you do!”
“The feeling of accomplishment you get when you finish an ultramarathon is amazing, there’s a lot to be said for the runner’s high. Knowing that I’m raising money for a charity that has helped my mum, probably the closest person in my life, for years definitely helps a lot. I am doing a 50/50 donation target with Myeloma UK, a charity which supports my dad who is an equally strong figure in my life so it’s a bit of a sentimental and motivational thing for me for those two reasons.
Over the last three years I have developed an attachment to long-distance running as it really is like free therapy, it has helped me hugely through some low periods. It teaches you the power of discipline and resilience which are two good traits to have. But the main drive I think is the fact that I want to take advantage of my mobility while I can as I’ve seen how it can affect your life when you don’t have it.
Running ultramarathons probably sounds like hell to a lot of people which I fully understand, but I am just so fortunate that I can do them.”
“Definitely! It might seem intimidating at first but consistency is key. Never in a million years would I have thought I’d be capable of a 50-miler when I first started. Well, I’m yet to find out if I am or not but fingers crossed. Once you get into a routine and do a few runs it does get a lot easier, I also find that I don’t often enjoy the first few kilometres of a run as the endorphins haven’t kicked in yet so don’t let this put you off going further.
Increase your distance gradually and make sure to fuel yourself well before and after as you will burn a lot of calories especially on longer runs (carb-loading before long runs helps massively as it gives you the energy you need). Warming up and stretching afterwards is really important and will help to avoid injury or delayed onset muscle soreness, and strength training your legs with weights at the gym helps too as you’d expect.
Finding the time to do all of this can get tedious sometimes but I promise it’s so worth it when you cross that finish line! I like to view it as a journey, you can explore new places by running but for me the thing that makes it and keeps me going is listening to music. Through training, I’ve broadened my taste and discovered so many new genres and artists that I enjoy.”
“I had my gait analysis done at a running shop recently and I wished I’d done it sooner, they will recommend the best shoes for you. I bought the Brooks Ghost Max trainers and they’ve made a huge difference, the cushioning on the soles helps so much.
I take an isotonic gel roughly every hour which helps you maintain energy, electrolytes will also keep you hydrated throughout. Magnesium gel is great for soreness and there’s nothing better than an epsom salt bath after a run, a foam roller and massage gun are good for afterwards too.
The Strava app is handy for keeping a record of your runs and your timings, a lot of my friends have also been training for various things recently so it’s been great seeing them do this and giving them all the kudos!
The most important one for me though is my knee support bandage, I honestly didn’t have a clue what I was doing for my first marathon and I regret not wearing one. Running puts a lot of strain on your joints so you need to look after them as best you can or it’s going to hurt!”
You can virtually cheer Miranda on and support her Manchester to Liverpool Ultramarathon challenge through Miranda’s Just Giving Page >>>
If Miranda’s story has inspired you, why not take on a challenge of your own? Whether it’s a 5K, a half-marathon, or even your own long-distance adventure, every step you take helps support people living with MS. By fundraising for Revive, you can help provide essential MS services like physiotherapy, counselling, financial support and social support, making a real difference to the lives of those who rely on us.
Ready to take the first step? Get in touch and start your fundraising journey! Contact us on info@revivemssupport.org.uk or 0141 945 3344.
